Financial barriers pose the main challenge for Skyla Chatterton, a 15-year-old Territory student who won the bronze medal at last year’s International Federation of Muaythai Associations World Youth Championships and is kicking her way back to international competition by defeating opponents above her age and weight.

Skyla, whose fight name is “Full Noise” – a pretty apt description of how she trains and fights – is selected to join the Australian Muay Thai team to represent the country at the championships in Belek, Turkey next month for the second year in a row.

The IFMA World Youth Muay Thai Championships 2023 will be held from September 28 to October 8.

It’s all part of the Territory girl’s dream to one day make it to the Olympics, which she knows will involve a lot of hard work.

All team members should be in Turkey a week before September 29 for team training and familiarisation. They will also have to stay until the championships finish on October 8.

Athletes such as Skyla receive no direct funding, which means they rely heavily on their parents and relatives. Donations can make a big difference.

“This trip is fully self-funded, which is a lot to come up with in such a short period. It is always extremely challenging for the Territory’s young athletes to come up with enough funds for flights, accommodation, and other necessary expenses to compete on every occasion,” Skyla says.

“To achieve my dreams I am asking for support to raise funds to cover the cost of travelling to Turkey for the worlds, interstate fights booked in the next six months, training camps and the Nationals all of which are vital for me to progress on my journey and dream to be an Olympian.”

After winning bronze last year, Skyla knows what she’s up against in international competition, where she will again be taking the Northern Territory to the world Muay Thai’s centre stage, alongside the Man Ho Academy of Martial Arts.

With Skyla’s fight record of nine wins, one draw, and only one loss, to miss this opportunity to represent the Northern Territory, and the whole of Australia, would be a waste of all her hard work and raw talent.

“I have been training in Muay Thai since I was seven-years-old, training five days a week out of Man Ho Academy of Martial Arts, having competed in 11 fights to date at a local, national and international level,” Skyla said.

“I am currently a participant in the Northern Territory Academy Sports (NTAS) elite athlete program.”

She represented Australia at the 2022 IFMA World Youth Championships, achieving a first-round stoppage in the qualifying round and going on to secure a bronze medal after only one defeat, which came against the eventual 2022 gold medallist. She also represented the Northern Territory at the Muay Thai Australian Nationals in 2022, going up several weight classes for her only draw to qualify for the Australian team in 2023.

She also fought in Adelaide’s Pride Fight Series main card (pro show) this year where she secured a unanimous decision victory.

Skyla is inspired by Chad Collins and Bec ‘RU Ready’ Rooney. She says Chad’s style is magic and Bec is a role model due to her career successes fighting for the Green and Gold. As for an international idol, Skyla has noted Valentina Shevchenko as her favourite.

“Although I have big dreams and a long journey ahead, I am passionate, determined and committed to achieving my goals and representing my country at the highest levels from now until the ultimate destination the Olympics in 2032, with your support,” she said.

The Chatterton family are asking fellow Territorians for support. Skyla is fully dedicated to Muay Thai and is determined to bring distinction to the Northern Territory.

Anyone who wants to help this Territory teen can support her through: https://www.gofundme.com/f/skyla-chatterton-represent-australia-worlds?utm_campaign=p_cp+share sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer and https://www.eventcreate.com/e/skylachattertonmuaythai/

To learn more about Skyla, visit https://www.instagram.com/p/CsX8KtUttKx/?fbclid=IwAR2p1oSS3rDUq3yEav21zkQPi8cHkreTz3OrYoI9aHtbB_GYcQfRMjjINdM